Knowledge Production and Social Media

Lothar Krempel

 
In a quickly changing environment, entrepreneurial success is increasingly dependent on the capacity to process information. Within just a few years new technologies have emerged online that make direct and location-independent social interaction between a great deal of participants possible. But to what extent are these digital social networks suited to supporting information processing in firms, and what potential do they have in the field of firm-specific knowledge production? These new online platforms could help in understanding social processes between persons, communities, and organizations: informational data is increasingly analyzed via "social algorithms" in order to foster interactions; and by using analytical tools when forming their judgments participants can identify important discussions. Furthermore, the coevolution of social and semantic networks can be traced. This project empirically examines (1) whether the use of such platforms by firms makes it possible to overcome communication deficits, (2) whether cooperation between different groups is successful across hierarchical or operational boundaries, and (3) whether such collaborations can be successful after mergers. To what extent do they actually make content-based collaborations, mutual exchange of resources, and the improved access to inhouse knowledge possible? The aim will be to work with a company platform that operates internationally. Project duration: November 2010 to October 2013.